Quick lickin'

Keeping up the sailing, and Viking themes, for a day or two longer, a 15-metre replica of a Viking ship made from five million ice cream sticks is undergoing sea trials in preparation for crossing the Atlantic Ocean, from the Netherlands to the US.

The ship, named Thor, was glued together by Robert McDonald, his son and more than 5,000 children from 18 schools in the Netherlands.

McDonald says he initiated the project, which took four years to complete, to show children they could do anything they set their minds to.

"It's not only a ship of ice cream sticks, it's also the world's largest recycled object," he said.

McDonald is now looking for a crew (with good teeth) and hopes to attempt a crossing of the Atlantic as early as this September.

The Danes are coming!

In what could almost be described as an oversized kayak (with apologies to the Norse), a Viking ship has set sail for Dublin from the Danish port of Roskilde, in an attempt to recreate the voyages undertaken by early Norsemen.

The 30m (100ft) long replica, called Sea Stallion, is said to be the world's largest reconstructed Viking vessel.

It is based on a ship made nearly 1,000 years ago in Ireland, which in 1962 was excavated from the Roskilde fjord.

A crew of 65 volunteers will travel the 1,900km (1,200 miles) to Dublin, using only oar and sail power.

You can follow their progress here.